Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-07-15
LICENSE IN THE LIGHT OF
HISTORY.

so1lowj1,g article was written by the
he 10 ..hod author educator and preacher
inS'',sHW ", samson, d. D., acting President
Yves Yrs Female College. formerly its Presi-
IN response to personal letter adj
~ 10 lin by H. A. Lee. Chairman OF the
Fseu W committee of the Prohibition party
Few York;
Ice, ESD;
r. DEAR S1R-You have asked from a
,ohtful friend an expression of opinion
liz question whether a majority of the
,nrs of New York churches are in favor
.h;oh license" or of prohibition. )"
:, my experience of forty five years of
Ii. life in Washington, Boston, and
|" York, l am assured that pastors of
,rcses are generally aware of the i'm
far;aty that they avow themselves Lead
n matters of political expediency. 1t
Inly II questions of moral principle and
Ralioious consistency-and in these not
politicians-that the great body of true
E,ors feel called to avow their convic.
rs. Responsible, however, for twenty
I, i, vears us college President. and for
hi Years as Law Lecturer on Ethics, it
been my personal duty to study both
economic and moral bearings of the
sion now at issue, as they are to be
! p, in history, and as they present them
re, to practical men aside from partisan
lies.
fhe fact is palpable, and the principle it
! Dives demands careful study, that all
! aiding nations of antiquity have had
h.gltory laws as to the sale of intoxi-
mc Ii iuors, the tax on the sale of wine
i; other beverages never taking the form
modern license laws" Thi, is true in
history OF the most cultured nations;
In .ludea, Greece, and Rome; as it is
/ tot day also of the rudest tribes in
E!ca. These ancient prohibitory laws
r. minute, stringent, and revised as oc-
Kan demanded; and they We're, though
|an evaded, never repealed. The stat
[s in detail, with authorities cited, can
furnished to any one who thinks they
h. serve valuable purpose in the issues
4 before the American public. The pro-
,als for prohibitory laws, frequent in
gsh history, and especially significant
Fra 1870 in France, are, in addition to
|ient statutes, important studies for those
fo have learned the value OF historic
E,elents as guides in doubtful legisla-
h., since experience is here the only safe
Eeler
Ion its face the proposition for High
,4nse' has these suggested facts, worthy
special consideration: First, the very
rt license" implies two truths: that the
H. and use of intoxicants is an evil to be
Strained; and that wise and professedly
hpscientious people permit their rulers to
license" what is acknowledged to be an
xiii: second, the essential aim in high"
|csnse is to restrain men of small means,
Epecally the laboring classes, from what
n wealther classes may indulge in. The
ri that those who profit by the sale of the
toyicants favor this measure awakens
Eious thought at time when the labor
l. classes are organizing to resist combi-
lious of capitalists supposed to rule
kr,ation so as to secure the interests of
Ess, and not of the people at large.
Third, the reason assigned for high license,
En,the classes who will and who can afford
Il indulge in an injurious luxury, should
made to reimburse the state
! stle care of those ruined by that in
k.sence, suggests a principle of economic
well as of moral propriety which the
s0y of other ages and nations has
mel to be both unsound and unsafe.
nth. the supposed result, that it will
j. out adulterated liquors, in which
Gaous ingredients are made to take the
i is controverted by facts. The men
gse sentiment and conduct are not re-
{aned by legislation based on moral
runds will feel all the more justified in
Forting to artitce in evading statutes
)Llch do not profess to be based on prin-
les Of right. Fifth, the indefniteness
! the application OF laws for high license,
|[ether it shall apply to distilled or fer
|nted liquors, and if to the latter. to what
Ess of them, will leave necessary facilities
Il cvasions of a statute not respected by
l. moral sentiment OF any class in the
|mmunity.
On the other hand the proposition for
(olbition, for which alone there exists
sanction and also the promise of uni
|nn historic precedent, has these advan-
|ces: First, it meets evil as evil; not pal
Ptlng its character, not inconsistency
opposing its restraint from classes sup
fsed to be i'll danger and to lie danger
Fs; but firmly, though mildly, removing
fptation from thousands who, though
|npled, seek relief; while it guards three
|u!ths OF the community, wives and chill
Fen, whose protection i'll all ages legiti-
(ate legislation has especially sought.
Frond, 1t respects the rules of moral SEN
(lent, rebaking the spirit that seeks to
Fleat all Just law and efficient government
tie plea that prohibitory laws can not
enforced, thus delivering up nine-tenths
Tie citizens, i'll addition to all the women
ftt ctlldsen, to the rule Of a lawless class,
\ on the plea that republican govern
|eat can not be made government. This
M question for Americans now to meet
foE Yield. Other threatening evils Amer
F.ns have found means to remove; and
rs, the most threatening, they cannot
f. either the skill, the courage, the virtue,
Inc hdellty to grapple till it is subdued.
rs Americans will faithfully meet be-
use their moral integrity is challenged by
|yH WHO declare that expediency, not right,
70 rule III American society. Third, it
FFe's the danger which successfully has
:ealened the life OF American political
(.'aiutlons, State and national. That
FlSeE has arisen from the fact that men
P4Aitted to measures framed by polit-
F. leaders, who personal ambition
FAoed them to public safety, have chung
party TILL their whole country was
|4sseu INTO fratrici,!al war; those con-
f., beng as truly the device OF political
.s's'hs as any wars, past or present. IN
ne discerning people now see that the
Y 'p; for hi h license is plea for
NJ hs party lines. Men who for two
f,S-",ions have thoroughly analysed the
A'as OF ambitious politicians, who
nT seen their country with all its people
| L., - to the brink of ruin by the plea